TfL ruling on withdrawing private hire vehicle (PHV) operator’s licence from Ola

Caroline Pidgeon: Will you ensure that the full details of the recent ruling by TfL relating to Ola are made available.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has informed Ola UK Private Limited (Ola) that it would not be issued with a private hire vehicle (PHV) operator licence after the expiry of its current licence on 3 October 2020.
I agree that it is important for TfL to be transparent about its licensing decision and it hasalreadypublished a summary of the rationale for its decisionhereandhere.TfLcould not find Ola fit and proper after a number of breaches of the licensing regime were identified that had led to unlicensed drivers and vehicles beingused for passenger bookings.
Ola hasthe right to appeal TfL’s decision to a Magistrate’s court within 21 days of the decision. Should Olaappeal, I am confident that furtherinformation will be made availableas part of that appeals process, as has been the case in other large PHV operator appeals.

TfL Attendance at the UK Bus Summit - February 2020 How many TfL staff attended the UK Bus Summit on 6 February 2020?

Keith Prince: How many TfL staff attended the UK Bus Summit on 6 February 2020? Please provide me the exact number and their titles.

The Mayor: There were seven Transport for London officers who attended this national event. They were:

Black Cabs

Shaun Bailey: What is the total number of Black Cab Drivers who live in London? Please provide a breakdown by local authority if possible.

The Mayor: This data is published online here:www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/licensing-information.

TfL Huawei Exposure

Shaun Bailey: Does Transport for London have any exposure to Huawei?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is not aware of any exposure to Huawei.
Huaweiis not one of the consortiums shortlisted to install 4G onto the London Underground and TfL has not used their equipment within the trial section on the Jubilee Line.

PHV Drivers

Shaun Bailey: What is the total number of PHV drivers who live in London? Please provide a breakdown by local authority if possible.

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor'sQuestion2020/3672.

Uber Legal Action

Andrew Boff: How much did your recent legal action against Uber cost?

The Mayor: In November 2019, Transport for London (TfL) refused to grant Uber London Limited (Uber) a new private hire operator's licence due to a pattern of failures and several breachesthatplaced passenger safety at risk.
Uber appealed the decision and the case was heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Uber did not challenge TfL’s evidence and the Court accepted thattheaction taken by TfL to keep passengers safe wasappropriate.
Having considered all of the written and oral evidence, the Court found that Uberwas,at the time of the appeal hearing,fit and proper to hold a licence. Details of the judgment are providedhere.
TfL’s costs were£374,770and the Court ordered Uber to pay them in full.

First Free Ride Scheme

Shaun Bailey: What is the latest with the ‘First Ride Free’ scheme?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has no immediate plans to launch such a scheme. This position is continually reviewed alongside on-going public health advice and TfL’s funding position.